&#34;Matinee&#34; plum tree

ABSTRACT

A new distinct variety of plum tree which is somewhat remotely similar to the &#34;Santa Rosa&#34; plum tree (unpatented), but from which it is distinguished by producing uniformly larger fruit which are mature for harvesting and shipment approximately one week earlier than the &#34;Santa Rosa&#34; plum tree and exhibits superior holding ability as compared with that of the &#34;Santa Rosa&#34; plum tree and having yellower flesh with red coloration just under the skin.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

This present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of plumtree, Prunus salicina which will hereinafter be denominated varietallyas the "Matinee" plum tree, and more particularly to a plum tree whichproduces fruit which are mature for commercial harvesting and shipmentapproximtely thirteen days before the "Santa Rosa" plum tree(unpatented), or about June 5 to about June 10 in the San Joaquin Valleyof Central California, and which further is distinguished principally asto novelty by producing uniformly larger fruit which have yellower fleshthan that of the "Santa Rosa" plum tree, a brighter red skin coloration,and which can hold on the tree and stay firm to a higher level ofmaturity.

The "Santa Rosa" plum tree has been one of the most commerciallysuccessful varieties of plum tree over many decades producing largefruit having pleasingly colored and flavorful flesh ripening for harvestapproximately June 18 in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California.The "Santa Rosa" plum tree remains in many respects the standard bywhich other varieties are judged.

However, the "Santa Rosa" plum tree has some traits which are less thandesirable. For example, the "Santa Rosa" plum tree is frequentlycharacterized by premature fruit drop which makes harvesting aparticularly critical operation and, of course, reduces the volume ofthe crop which can successfully be harvested.

The "Matinee" plum tree of the present invention possesses many of thesame attractive characteristics of the "Santa Rosa" plum tree producingfruit red to purple coloration, and shape. However, the fruit of theinstant variety is uniformly larger and has flesh of a consistentlyyellower coloration. It is further distinguished from the "Santa Rosa"plum tree in that the fruit of the "Matinee" plum tree consistentlyholds on the tree and remains firm considerably longer than that of the"Santa Rosa" plum tree.

ORIGIN AND ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present variety of the plum was discovered by the inventor in 1992as an open pollinated seedling of the "Showtime" plum tree (U.S. PlantPat. No. 8,037) in the inventor's orchard located in Fresno, Calif. Thenew variety was selected from five hundred and eighteen (518) seedlings.The new variety was asexually reproduced at the inventor's direction in1993 by budding onto "Nemaguard" rootstock in Fresno County in June ofthe year. The resulting asexually reproduced trees were planted in anorchard located on the inventor's property in Fowler, Calif. Those treeshave been observed by the inventor since that time and have confirmedthat the distinctive characteristics of the parent tree of the newvariety are in all respects reproduced in its progeny.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The "Matinee" plum tree is characterized as to novelty by producing amedium-sized fruit generally of a red skin coloration for commercialharvesting and shipment June 5 to June 10 in the San Joaquin Valley ofCentral California. The new and novel variety is most closely similar tothe "Showtime" plum tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,037) from which it wasderived as a newly found seedling, but from which it is distinguishedand characterized as to novelty by producing uniform fruit having redderskin, yellower flesh with red coloration just under the skin and havinga superior holding ability avoiding the occasional premature fruit dropcharacteristic of the "Showtime" plum tree.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawing is a color photograph showing mature fruit of the newvariety of the present invention, including first shown top view thereofthe apex; then a second, shown in the side view (elevation); a thirdshown sectioned along the suture plane with the stone in place; a fourthshown sectioned along the suture with the stone in place; and fifthshown exposing the suture of the plum fruit. A representative leaf isshown in a top-plane view; a second leaf shown in bottom view; arepresentative twig, the stone, and a section of the bark--all of thenew variety.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of plum tree, the following details have been observedunder the ecological conditions prevailing at the orchard of origin,which is located near Fresno in the San Joaquin Valley of CentralCalifornia. All major color code designations are by reference to theDictionary of Color by Maerz and Paul, First Edition, 1930. Common colornames are also occasionally employed.

TREE

Generally:

Size.--Medium.

Vigor.--Not overly vigorous.

Chilling requirements.--Approximately 800 hours below 45 degreesFahrenheit. Similar to other plum varieties.

Figure.--Upright.

Producivity.--Productive.

Regularity of bearing.--Regular

Internode length.--Approximately 30 mm (1.181 inches).

Trunk:

Size.--Stocky.

Growth habit.--Upright. Angle of scaffold branches to the central leaderis seventeen degrees (17°) to eighty-five degrees (85°).

Density.--Open and sprawling. Develops whips.

Surface texture.--Medium.

Color.--Page 39, Plate 8, A-10, Sepia.

Lenticels--numbers.--Numerous.

Lenticels--size.--Small, 0.5 mm (0.019 inches).

Branches:

Size.--Medium.

Surface texture--Mature.--Medium, similar to trunk.

Surface texture--Immature.--Smooth.

Color--one year or older wood.--Page 33, Plate 5, D-9, Roseglow.

Color--immature branches.--Page 49, Plage 13, D-7, Oakbluff.

Lenticels--generally.--Variable depending upon age of branch.

Lenticels--numbers.--Young shoots -- very few.

Lenticels--numbers.--Mature of older wood -- several.

Lenticles--size.--0.5 mm (0.019 inches) to 1 mm (0.039 inches) by 2 mm(0.078 inches) to 5 mm (0.196 inches).

LEAVES

Size: Medium.

Length: 111 mm±1.6 mm (4.37 inches±0.063 inches).

Width: 53 mm±1.4 mm (2.07 inches±0.055 inches).

Shape: Ovate.

Color:

Upwardly disposed surface.--Page 67, Plate 22, H-8, Civette Gr.

Downwardly disposed surface.--Page 63, Plate 20, C-6, Seaspray T.

Marginal form: Double serrate.

Glandular characteristics: Not always present. None on immature leaves.One or two on mature leaves. Small size.

Leaf vein:

Color.--Page 49, Plate 13, A-5, Mavis Grain Brown.

Thickness.--1 mm.

Petiole:

Size.--Small to medium.

Length.--11 mm to 13 mm (0.43 inches to 0.52 inches).

Thickness.--1 mm to 2 mm (0.039 inches to 0.078 inches).

Color.--Green.

Stem glands:

Shape.--Globose.

Position.--Opposite and alternate.

Number.--Two to five.

Color.--Green.

Stipules: None

FLOWERS

Flower buds:

Size.--Small, tender, conic in shape and short. Description is based oncurrent season growth.

Surface texture.--Glabrous.

Date of bloom: Popcorn stage, February 6, first bloom, February 9; fiftypercent bloom, February 13; full bloom, February 20; petal fall,February 25.

Flower size: Small, 15 mm (0.59 inches) to 18 mm (0.71 inches) whenopen.

Showiness: Very showy.

Petals:

Color.--White.

Pistil: One.

Stamen:

Number.--23.

Pollen:

Color.--Golden.

Quantity.--Medium.

Self-fertility: Semi-self fruitful.

FRUIT

Maturity when described: Ripe for commercial harvest and shipment thefirst week of June in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California.

Size:

Generally.--Medium size, uniform in size, shape and weight when lightlythinned and separate fruit in clusters.

Average diameter in the axial plane.--56 mm (2.2 inches).

Average diameter in the suture plane.--55 mm (2.165 inches).

Average diameter transverse and at right angles to the suture plane.--55mm (2.165 inches).

Form.--Uniformity -- Very uniform. Most of them are cordate (heartshaped).

Suture.--Generally a very shallow, inconspicuous line extends from thebase to the apex and is slightly deeper at cavity.

Ventral surface.--Generally -- Smooth, rounded.

Stem cavity--generally.--Acute.

Stem cavity--width.--14 )0.55 inches).

Stem cavity--depth.--8 mm (0.315 inches).

Stem cavity--length.--20 mm (0.79 inches).

Stem cavity--shape.--Oval.

Stem.--generally 8 mm to 10 mm long (0.315 inches to 0.39 inches).

Stem--caliper.--11/2 mm to 2 mm (0.056 inches to 0.078 inches).

Apex.--Slightly rounded.

Pistol point.--Position -- Variable.

Skin:

Thickness.--Thin.

Texture.--Smooth.

Tendency to crack.--None.

Color.--Page 33, Plate 5, C-6, Afgan R Cheekerberry.

Flesh:

Flesh color.--Yellow fleshed, with red coloration just under the skin.

Flesh color--Near Apex.--Page 135, Plate 56, L-12.

Flesh color--Top of fruit immediately under shin.--Page 133, Plate 55,L-8, Rubiente.

Flesh color--Remainder.--Page 43, Plate 10, K-5.

Color of pit well.--Page 33, Plate 5, C-6, Afgan R.

Surface of pit cavity.--Smooth.

Juice production.--Moderate, but no free-flowing juice.

Flavor.--Excellent, sweet, good balance between sugar and acid, distinctflavor.

Aroma.--Mild.

Texture.--Meaty, firm.

Ripening.--Even ripening throughout the fruit.

Eating quality.--Excellent, no bitter aftertaste.

Stone:

Attachment.--Semi-cling.

Fibers.--None.

Size--Length.--25 mm (0.98 inches).

Size--Width.--17 mm (0.67 inches).

Size--Thickness.--10 mm (0.39 inches).

Form.--Oval.

Apex shape.--Pointed, acute.

Color (dry).--Page 33, Plate 5, 9A Longchamps.

Base.--Shape -- Flat.

Sides.--Generally -- Equal.

Ridges.--Only on ventral side.

Tendency to Split.--None.

Use: Fresh market.

Keeping quality: Good to excellent. Fruit remained firm after two weeksout of cool storage.

Resistance to disease: No known resistance or unusual susceptibility toknown insects or diseases.

Shipping and handling qualities: Very good. The fruit holds well on thetree and will ship and store well after harvest.

Although the new variety of plum tree possesses the describedcharacteristics noted above as a result of the growing conditionsprevailing near Fresno in the central portion of the San Joaquin Valleyof California, it is to be undertood that variations of the usualmagnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions,irrigation, fertilization, pruning, pest control, climatic variation andthe like are to be expected.

Having thus described and illustrated my new variety of plum tree, whatI claim as new and desire to be secured by Plant Letters Patent is:
 1. Anew and distinct variety of plum tree substantially as illustrated anddescribed, and which is somewhat remotely similar to the "Santa Rosa"plum tree (unpatented), but which it is distinguished by producinguniformly larger, more colorful fruit, having a very firm flesh with asweet flavor, not being bitter near the pit, and which are mature forcommercial harvesting approximately the first week of June in the SanJoaquin Valley of Central California.